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The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Simon Coveney TD, has announced that, in view of the vital importance of Ireland’s relations with Germany, he has asked the Ambassador in Berlin, Michael Collins, to undertake a comprehensive Review over the coming period.

The Tánaiste said that Brexit had brought into sharp focus the necessity to ensure that our bilateral and EU relationships are assessed and reviewed on an ongoing basis so that they can continue effectively to advance our interests and our goals. Germany, which is a vitally important export market, inward investor and source of tourism for Ireland is a key priority in this respect (see below). Over the last year, and in response to the Brexit referendum decision, extra staffing has already been provided to strengthen the Embassy in Berlin but the Tánaiste said that it was now appropriate to look beyond this and to reflect on the further steps that can be taken to enhance our presence and engagement in Germany.

The Tánaiste said:

“Our relations with Germany are vital to us and all the more so in the context of Brexit. Now, therefore, is a good time to take a close look at our work in Germany to build our relationship for a new era and to ensure that we are in a position to vigorously advance our interests and our goals.

The aim of this Comprehensive Review is to further strengthen our relationship, both bilaterally and in the context of our common membership of the EU.

In undertaking this Comprehensive Review, Ambassador Collins and our Embassy in Berlin will consult and engage over the coming weeks with contacts across the political, economic, cultural and community spectrum."